Special Olympics Illinois North Suburban Cook/Area 18
103 Schelter Road
Suite 25
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Phone: 224-234-8635
Fax: 847-478-0982
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm
Contact: Dan P. Conley, Area Director
Meetings: Please call for information regarding meetings
Cost: No Fee
Wheelchair Access: Yes
Publications: Newsletter: Area 18
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.soill.org 

Updated: 4/11/2012

Description: Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities by giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Special Olympics Illinois is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that raises funds through private means, such as donations and grants. Special Olympics Illinois is accredited by Special Olympics, Inc., which operates in all 50 states and in more than 180 countries. Illinois supports more than 23,000 athletes annually from communities throughout the state. Special Olympics Illinois athletes range in age from 2 to over 80. They come from every part of the state and from every economic group. They all have one thing in common: to strive to do their best and have fun at the same time. All the programs offered in Illinois provide athletes with the chance to develop physical fitness, sports skills, social skills and self-esteem. Athletes train for a minimum of eight weeks and compete locally before advancing to the next level of competition. Seven state tournaments including Summer and Winter Games allow the athletes to show their skills. Year-round sports include alpine skiing (downhill) athletics (track and field), aquatics (swimming), basketball, bocce, bowling, nordic skiing (cross country) figure skating, floor hockey, football (soccer), golf, gymnastics, motor activities training program, powerlifting, snowshoeing, softball, volleyball, unified bocce, and unified golf. Most sports also offer individual skills competitions.